Truth and Consequences

2. “What is truth” • The question implies disbelief in the reality of truth. • However, there is a certain, understandable body of truth (John 17:17). • This truth allows for redemption from sin and right standing in the sight of God (John 8:32). Truth and Consequences

3. “What is truth” • What are the consequences of truth? • Consequences = "something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions" (Webster) • To illustrate, there is a measurable constant present in the universe called gravity and consequences that necessarily result from this reality that cannot be dismissed without harm; “what goes up must come down”. • The same is true in the spiritual realm. There are consequences of spiritual truth that cannot be ignored or dismissed without harm. Truth and Consequences

4. There is no rest from the burden of sin apart from the yoke of service (Matt. 11:28-30) • Our lives are to be used to glorify God through service to Christ (Rom. 6:12-13) Truth and Consequences

5. There is no rest from the burden of sin apart from the yoke of service (Matt. 11:28-30) • Our lives are to be used to glorify God through service to Christ (Rom. 6:12-13) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”(Eph. 2:10) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) Truth and Consequences

6. There is no rest from the burden of sin apart from the yoke of service (Matt. 11:28-30) • Our lives are to be used to glorify God through service to Christ (Rom. 6:12-13) “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) Truth and Consequences

7. There is no rest from the burden of sin apart from the yoke of service (Matt. 11:28-30) • Our lives are to be used to glorify God through service to Christ (Rom. 6:12-13) “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”(2 Tim. 2:21) “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14) Truth and Consequences

8. Attending services (Heb. 10:25) • Personal study (2 Tim. 2:15) • Prayer (1 Thess. 5:17) • Loving one another (John 13:34, 35) • Being kindly affectionate (Rm. 12:10) • Admonishing one another. (Rm. 15:14) • Serving one another (Gal. 5:13) • Forgiving one another (Col. 3:13) • Being kind to one another (Eph. 4:32) • Having compassion (1 Pt. 3:8) • Considering one another (Heb. 10:24, 25) • There is no rest from the burden of sin apart from the yoke of service (Matt. 11:28-30) • Our lives are to be used to glorify God through service to Christ (Rom. 6:12-13) • How difficult is this? How much of a burden does this really place on us? Truth and Consequences

9. There is no newness of life apart from the death of the old man and renewing of the mind (Col. 3:9-10). • We must put to death the old man of sin! • This is accomplished through repentance (Acts 2:38, 3:19). • There can be no continuation of the former life of sin (1 John 3:6-9) Truth and Consequences

10. Abel was murdered because of his faith (Gen. 4:8) • Noah was rejected by the whole world (2 Pt. 2:5) • Joseph was imprisoned because he refused Potiphar's wife (Gen. 39:20) • Moses suffered affliction because of his choice to serve God (Heb. 11:25) • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were cast into the fiery furnace because of their convictions (Dan. 3:13-15) • John the Baptist was beheaded for rebuking sin (Mark 6:16-18) • The apostles were beaten for preaching (Acts 5:40) • Christians were persecuted severely for their faith (Acts 8:1). • We cannot live godly lives apart from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) • The righteous always suffer for their commitment to God. Truth and Consequences

11. We cannot live godly lives apart from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) • The righteous always suffer for their commitment to God. • The same will be true for us! Truth and Consequences

12. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt. 5:10-12) • We cannot live godly lives apart from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) • The righteous always suffer for their commitment to God. • The same will be true for us! Truth and Consequences

13. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Rom.12:14) “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us” (1 Thess. 2:14-15) • We cannot live godly lives apart from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) • The righteous always suffer for their commitment to God. • The same will be true for us! Truth and Consequences

14. We cannot live godly lives apart from persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) • The righteous always suffer for their commitment to God. • The same will be true for us! • We must endure the trials in order to receive the reward (James 1:12) Truth and Consequences

15. Truth has its consequences - we cannot get around them - we must recognize them and submit to them if we want to be saved. • While few accept truth, many reject it and forsake it because of its consequences. • Which best describes you? Truth and Consequences